5.3. SR 11-19-2001 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

o press hard to the Governor for the state share if the project doesn't have a recommended status from FTA. Commissioner Tinklenberg noted that for the grant portion of the funding, Mn/DOT felt it was best to get funding from the FTA on segments of the Project to go from Minneapolis to Big Lake. Commissioner Tinklenberg further noted that nobody is proposing that the Corridor be terminated at Big Lake. He noted that the Northstar Project will be funded in part by a grant from the FTA and part from the Legislature. Commissioner Tinklenberg further noted that the State match is for the entire Corridor. Commissioner Tinklenberg noted that Mn/DOT would also be pursuing direct appropriations from other state funds (ITS, transit, parking lots, etc). He noted that he needs to bring all pieces together to reflect a model corridor plan which has received backing from the USDOT and various agencies of administration. Commissioner Tinklenberg noted that there are lots of funding pots to go after, the FRA, FTA, etc. Commissioner Tinklenberg noted that this submittal to the FTA is a funding strategy not a proposal to terminate the project at Big Lake. Steve Billings asked what kind of assurances there are that this plan to get money from all different pots is going to come together. Commissioner Tinklenberg noted that pieces are in place and that NCDA and Mn/DOT have the political influences to make it happen. Commissioner Tinklenberg further noted that direct appropriations specific to the Northstar Project can come from different areas (intercity rail, FRA safety improvements). There are lots of different opportunities for the Project to get funding and this will also give Congressman Oberstar the opportunity to pick from a larger package and should give the Project a very good shot at receiving its funding. Steve Billings noted that the submittal with the Project terminating at Big Lake had obviously been in the works before now. He noted that the biggest problem seems to be communication. He asked if it would not have been less confusing if the information had been submitted to the NCDA Executive Committee / CRCCC sooner and how can we prevent this confusion from happening in the future. Commissioner Tinklenberg noted that he had had a number of conversations in Washington D.C. and that his secretary had been trying to schedule a meeting prior to the 18th, He also noted that other events that were occurring in the nation and the State workers strike caused delays in getting the information completed and finding a day to set a meeting. Chair Wergin noted that she was suppose to meeting with Margo LaBau on the 12th, but that meeting got cancelled. Commissioner Tinklenberg noted that he was suppose to meeting with people on Monday, October 1st, to discuss this issue. Paul McCarron noted that he appreciates Commissioner Tinklenberg giving the NCDA members a full view of what needs to take place. Mn/DOT Action to Terminate the Northstar Corridor at Big Lake: Resolution 2001-08: Paul McCarron noted that on May 3, 2001, the NCDA had passed Resolution 2001-04, which states that the NCDA recommended to the Commissioner of Transportation of the Minnesota Department of Transportation Commuter Rail that the preferred alternative for the Northstar Corridor be that the commuter rail service run on the existing BNSF rail line from downtown